Micah Richards has a year left on his Manchester City contract (Picture: Getty)

West Ham are believed to be pursuing a move for Micah Richards, with the defender poised to reject a new contract at Manchester City.

Richards’ current deal at the Etihad Stadium expires next summer and he is said to be reluctant to put pen to paper again, having struggled to hold down a regular place in recent seasons.

And the news has alerted West Ham boss Sam Allardyce who is looking to bolster his squad in several areas over the summer.

West Ham are thought to be keen on Micah Richards (Picture: Getty)

Richards, 25, is still wanted by Manchester City as they look to fulfil their homegrown quota, but having lost his place in the England squad and been pushed out of the right-back spot by Pablo Zabaleta, is thought to want to pursue first-team football elsewhere.

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Another City defender who looks set to leave this summer is Joleon Lescott, with Hull the latest club to show an interest in the centre-back.